Starbucks expands breakfast menu

March 4, 2014

Starbucks has introduced a new espresso beverage, the Vanilla Macchiato, and also expanded its breakfast sandwich platform, according to a company press release.

"Our baristas love to make the Starbucks Macchiato for customers. Pulling the perfect espresso shot, steaming milk into thick, velvety foam and finishing it off with pride ensures that each and every beverage reflects our passion, care and artistry," said Cliff Burrows, Starbucks group president, U.S., Americas, and Teavana. "It's our baristas who are at the heart of the promise we make to our customers - that they will receive the highest-quality beverages and delicious, wholesome food paired with an exceptional experience each and every time they're in our stores."

Vanilla makes three

Since the launch of Starbucks Hazelnut Macchiato last spring, Starbucks Macchiato platform continues to grow and remains a top-selling customer favorite, according to the release. Customers can now enjoy this beverage in three flavors: Vanilla, Caramel and Hazelnut. The Starbucks Vanilla Macchiato is the latest espresso creation, combining the most popular flavor, vanilla, with one of its most popular drinks, the Caramel Macchiato, according to the release.

In Italian, "macchiato" means "marked" to describe how the steamed milk is topped with a shot of espresso. The Macchiato features steamed milk "marked" with Starbucks signature espresso. The Vanilla Macchiato is finished with a drizzle of sweet, brown sugar, Madagascar Bourbon vanilla.

New breakfast sandwiches

Since its acquisition of La Boulange in 2012, Starbucks has continued to enhance its food offerings, and this continues with the introduction of four new breakfast sandwiches thoughtfully crafted from premium ingredients, according to the release. New offerings include:

To mark the debut of the new premium breakfast sandwiches, from March 12-14 customers can receive a free Grande brewed coffee with the purchase of any breakfast sandwich at participating stores in the U.S.

New this year is the introduction of Starbucks Tribute Blend in Verismo pods for a limited time. Developed as a tribute to customers in honor of Starbucks 40th anniversary, this coffee combines four of Starbucks favorite coffees: Aged Sumatra, Sun-Dried Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Colombia, according to the release. Colombia Nariño, a medium, single-origin coffee with a juicy acidity, herbal notes and walnut-like finish, will be available for a limited time beginning April 1.